I'm on the floor in my room. Sitting in a lotus position, meditating and circulating mana from my circle through my pathway, and back.
It cools my head.
My belly sinks in as I draw in a deep breath.
And..
"Hoooo." I breathe out.
It's been a month since I had that 'productive' conversation with Alexander.
And during these past few weeks, I've been learning about first circle flame spells from him.
Now I know what spells really are.
They aren't just abracadabra, and they're definitely not as straightforward as I thought they were.
There's a complex process behind the formation of spells.
First; one has to chant the magic formula of the spell.
Let's say I want to cast a fireball spell. I'll have to recall the already crammed formula, and chant it out.
Then, the chant will resonate deeply with the flame mana in my first circle.
And the gathered mana of the fire element will be released from my circle, through my mana pathway, and from my mana pathway it'll flow until the resonated formula rests on my palm as a glyph— the visual magic circle. Only then can the fireball be cast.
So chanting is necessary to cast spells.
But now, here's the thing. Mages from the third circle upwards.. they don't necessarily need to chant the magic formula.
They're already familiar with the system, and the system familiar with them.
The formula of the spells— like fireball, is already deeply ingrained in their circle.
These people only summon the already resonated flame mana from their circle, and the formula automatically rests on their palms as glyphs.
And they can choose to draw the circle on the air too— enabling them to cast the spell easily. And well, mages of all circles can draw those runic-like glyphs on the air. They can even suspend it on the air for a limited amount of time, and leave it's position.
But, with that said, that's how one can identify a third circle mage— by how they cast without chanting— only needing to form glyphs.
But of course not me.. I can tell what circle a mage is just by looking at the number of rings revolving around them.
And now... the second most shocking fact— mages from the 6th circle upwards, they cast spells without needing to chant, and without even needing to summon a glyph on their palm or in the air.
Wanna make a fireball? They just think of it, then boom— it's on their hands.
Wanna make a fire arrow? They just think of it, then boom— it's floating in the air.
And even fire cannons, advanced flame spells like meteor too!
They don't have to chant, they just think of it and it appears!
For now, I've learned the formulas for the fireball spell, the fire arrow spell, the fire rope spell, and the fire tempest spell.
But there's something I've discovered as of late.
And that is the fact that.. I don't need to chant the formula of the spells for it to resonate with my circle.
I immediately crammedvthe three spell formulas the first day Alexander taught me.
In the beginning, I needed to chant for the magic circle to appear on my palm.. but now?
The moment I think of the formula, the glyph appears on my palm, and I can draw it in the air too.
I really don't know why... It's something that's only supposed to happen at the third circle.
But, right now I've decided to stop thinking about it.
I've decided, that if a plate of food magically manifests in front of me while I'm hungry— then I'll gladly eat it.
I'm not going to tell Alexander or anybody else.
I'll keep this happenstance to myself, and I'll treat it as a secret. Much like how I kept the flame of eternity, and my meeting with the Phoenix, and pretty much my whole existence as a reincarnated soul, a secret.
If I need to cast magic in front of people, I'll chant the spells first to make it seem like I'm a regular first-circle mage before I cast.
I roll my shoulders, cracking my neck and stretching my muscles.
My eyes flutter open, and I quickly stand up from the floor. A wide smile present on my lips.
"Isn't it time for me to leave this house? I'm done here. Everything I need— I've gotten them."
Then with a low voice, I say, "this night, I will leave this house. To begin the journey back to my heart— Marcelle."
But first...
From my wardrobe, I take and put on a plain, white shirt— covering my chest, and then I exit the room.
"To inform Alexander."
***
"So, tonight's the night?" he asks me. His eyes are wet, and his voice is low.
"Yeah. I'm leaving this night." I respond.
I'm leaning on the wall next to the door. I do not want to sit down, because.. I.. I don't feel like it.
He lets out a heavy sigh.
"It really is a shame, but there's nothing anyone can do about it— you have to leave."
I nod, "yeah."
"But... aren't you going to need an escort?"
"No, I won't."
"A... guide, then?"
"No, I won't."
"Just someone to protect you, and ensure of your safety?"
"No, I won't."
He narrows his eyes, peering straight into mine. And I smirk.
His eyes widen, and then relaxes, and he smiles back at me, and shakes his head.
"You're too stubborn, you brat."
A soft chuckle leaves my mouth.
"I'm a Flameworth, remember?"
His smile widens as he nods in agreement.
"But I think you'll need a guard at least." he still presses.
I shake my head, "no, if I take a guard with me, then you'll know of my every whereabouts and location, which I don't want.
And... Whoever it is that has you 'shackled'.. they can force out details of my location from you, and track me down. So, it's for my good." My tone is blunt as I declare shamelessly.
He laughs, his laughter low, and his eyes looking up at the ceiling.
"You're really shameless, boy."
"You're right. But.. I'm just neatly covering my tracks."
He lowers his gaze to look at me.
"What would you need?" He asks calmly.
"A horse-drawn wagon, a hooded robe, and... that will be all."
He nods. His eyes never leaving mine.
"You'll find the robe in the wagon. And the wagon— you'll find it outside the estate of the Flameworths, down at the entrance of the street. It'll be there, waiting for you."
I nod, and I turn to take my leave.
"Ed."
With a surprised expression, I turn to glance at him.
"That's the name you told me to look forward to hearing, right?"
"Yes, it is," I say, my voice softening, my smile fading.
He nods, and he says, "Alright. Don't forget your artifacts."
I almost forgot those.
And I open the door.
"Goodbye, Charles."
I hear his voice behind me. Low, and solemn. But I don't respond, and I continue walking.
Goodbye, Alexander.
At midnight, I'll make my move.